Container opener and handle assembly

ABSTRACT

An opener and handle assembly for a container formed by a strap having a vertical portion and horizontal portion, a weld affixing the lower vertical end to the container sidewall remotely and rearwardly of the plug while a rivet connects the forward horizontal end portion to the plug. The vertical portion is graspable by the fingers of the hand and movable away from the container adjacent the top which opens the plug by the force transmitted through the vertical and horizontal portions to the rivet and plug. The vertical and horizontal portions form a handle for the container after the plug is opened. A channel member is affixed to the top and guides the horizontal portion during opening movement of the strap. The rivet is releasably connected within an open-ended socket and is slidable therefrom after opening movement of the plug. A spring clip releasably attaches the strap to the channel member upon removal of the rivet from the socket.

United States Patent 3,235.!22 2/l966 Oblander Inventors David E. Russell 1606 King SL, Jacksonville, Fla. 32204; Tom A. Andresen, M/S Se-award" c/o Norwegian Caribbean Lines. 340 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33132 Appl. No. 3.038

Filed Jan. 15,1970

Patented Aug. 31,1971

CONTAINER OPENER AND HANDLE ASSEMBLY 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Armrneys-George H. Baldwin and Arthur G. Yeager ABSTRACT: An opener and handle assembly for a container formed by a strap having a vertical portion and horizontal portion, a weld affixing the lower vertical end to the container sidewall remotely and rearwardly'of the plug while a rivet connects the forward horizontal end portion to the plug. The vertical portion is graspable by the fingers of the hand and movable away from the container adjacent the top which opens the plug by the force transmitted through the vertical and horizontal portions to the rivet and plug. The'vertical and horizontal portions form a handle for the container after the plug is opened. A channel member is affixed to the top and guides the horizontal portion during opening movement of the strap. The rivet is releasably connected within an open-ended socket and is slidable therefrom after opening movement of the plug. A spring clip releasably attaches the strap to the channel member upon removal of the rivet from the socket;

PATENTEU AUGS] :91; 3,502,3 9

INVE N TORS CONTAINER OPENER AND HANDLE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to hand held containers and more particularly to a combined container opener and handle assembly for a hand held container for liquids or solids such as powders, crystals, pellets or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art The self-opening containers commonly known as having pop tops and the like contain several inherent disadvantages under certain circumstances. Some persons, such as elderly persons, or frail women with delicate hands, experience discomfort in peeling back the metal pop" top tab or ring are fearful of cutting their fingers thereon. Even many average persons are often annoyed by the present method of opening such containers. In addition, if the contents of the container is an unpleasant or obnoxious substance, such as a poison, dye, stain, oil, antifreeze chemical, odor emitting substance, or the like, psychological factors cause the person holding such co'ntainer to dislike placing their fingers in close proximity to the container opening and are somewhat fearful that the contents may run or spill down the side of the container onto their hands. In the case of a strong cleaning powder, persons using the container frequently have wet hands and do not wish to place their wet fingers where a chemical reaction and stain can result.

The prior art patents found in the search are as follows: Pat. Nos. 2,639,502; 2,728,516; 3,056,534; 3,107,028; and 3,269,586. Of these the only pertinent prior art is Pat. No. 3,269,586 and the advantages thereover will be apparent by consideration of the subjects hereinbelow together with the remainder of this application.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION In one aspects of the invention, the opener and handle assembly includes an elongated strap having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending over the top wall. First means permanently affix the lower end of the vertical portion to the container sidewall generally remotely and rearwardly disposed with respect to the plug. Second means connect the forward end portion of the horizontal portion to the plug. The vertical portion is graspable by the fingers of the hand and movable away from the container adjacent the top wall whereby the plug is opened by the force transmitted through the vertical and horizontal portions to the second means and plug. The vertical and horizontal portions form a handle for the container after the plug is opened with the horizontal portion extending outwardly of the container sidewall and the vertical portion adjacent the top wall being spaced away from the sidewall.

Other aspects of the invention are the provision ofa channel member affixed to the top wall and having an upper rung portion extending laterally above the horizontal portion functioning to guide the horizontal portion during opening movement thereof in a direction generally oppositely and rearwardly of the second means. The openable plug is disposed adjacent a first side edge portion of the top wall with the second means being located closely adjacent the top wall side edge portion. The horizontal portion extends across the top wall and over a second side edge portion opposite to and remote from the first side edge portion. The vertical portion extends downwardly from adjacent the second side edge portion to its connection by the first means to the container sidewall generally vertically disposed with respect to the second side edge portion. The line of weakness is interrupted toward the central portion of the top wall to form a hinged connection between the plug and the remainder of the top wall upon opened movement thereof by the strap.

portion engageable with a shoulder in said socket and slidable through the open end of said socket for connection and disconnection thereof, the direction of connecting and disconnecting movement of said rivet and socket being generally perpendicular of the direction of opening movement of said plug and the longitudinal axis of said strap horizontal portion. The line of weakness is continuous so that the plug may be removed from the top wall and from the strap as aforesaid.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a container opener and handle assembly which simultaneously forms an opening in the lid of the container and a convenient handle for dispensing the contents thereof.

Another general object of the present invention is to provide a container opening assembly which is rapidly manipulated in one quick, simple motion of the fingers and wrist with vide an improved container opening and handle assembly i provide such an assembly which, when the handle is extended,

converts the container into an attractive and unique-appearing drinking vessel, simulating the appearance and feel of a European style b'eer tankard or stein. I

A further particular object of the present invention is to provide such anassembly which will afford a positive airtight seal for the lid of the container so that the contents of the container will not be exposed to air and spoilage.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which will permit the ready removal of the folded metal top portion constituting the pop top ring and plug portion. I

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which, due to its extremely simple, clean-cut design and method of operation, appeals to potential customers of the product packaged therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the top of a container provided with a container opener and handle assembly to accord with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial elevational view of another embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the container opener and handle assembly is generally depicted at 10 and is attached to a container 11 for liquids, pow- Further aspects of the invention are the provision of second means including means for releasably connecting the forward end portion to the plug, and means are provided for releasably metal or bendable plastic construction, strap 12 having a generally vertical, downwardly extending portion 13 and a horizontal portion 14. A guideway or channel member 15 is affixed to container 11 and is upstanding thereabove for guiding horizontal portion 14 therethrough during opening of the container 10, as hereinafter more fully described. An impression, line of weakness, or the like forming the openable plug 16 of the top 17 is stamped or otherwise formed into the metal top 17 of the container similar to the common self-opening or pop top construction known in the art." A rivet 18 or other known connection is attached to the front end portion 19 of strap 12 and is connected to the openable plug 16 in a manner known in the art. The lower end 20 of downwardly extending portion 13 is affixed as by weld 21 or the like to the container wall 22 adjacent the container bottom 23. It is to be understood that the lower end 20 may be attached to the bottom 23 by a rivet, similar to rivet 18, or the like, or may be attached to the bottom rim 24, if desired.

, To open the container 10 for dispensing the contents thereof, downwardly extending portion 13 is pulled firmly from its collapsed position closely adjacent to and lying in a plane contiguous with the container wall 22. The side-edges 26 and 27 of portion 13 are spaced from wall 22 sufficiently so that portion 13 may be gripped by the fingers of the hand, to the extended position indicated by broken lines 28, thereby displacing strap 12 and peeling back the metal plug 16 to the position indicated by broken lines at 25. This one generally straight-lined force exerted on portion 13 will both expose the contents of the container for beneficial usage and form the convenient handle indicated by broken lines at 28. It is intended that a portion 29 of plug 16, when peeled backward relocated in broken lines at 25, remains continuous with the top 17 of the container 10. Rigidity of the handle 13 and I4 is maintained by continued connection between plug 16 and rivet I8 and by portion 13 being affixed by weld 21. If deemed necessary, the initial breaking action of the plug 16 may be accomplished by a lifting tab (not shown) similar to the ring normally attached to the pop" top. The plug 16 also should be of sufficient stiffness to inhibit movement back-and-forth of the horizontal portion 14 of strap 12 when plug 16 is in its opened position at 25.

Strap 12 may also be mounted slightly loose with respect to rivet l8 and the container 10 to facilitate pulling portion 13 to the opened position 28, or the cross-sectional shape of portion 13 can taper slightly away from container 10 so as to give a ready hand-hold. lfdesired, strap front portion 19 may include a slot (not shown) extending longitudinally of horizontal portion 14 to facilitate initial movement of portion 13 outwardly to provide a ready hand-hold prior to opening movement of plug 16. Portion 13 may be constructed of a plastic with low thermal conductivity so as to maintain a moisture-free surface when the container is used for a beverage container. Portion 13 may also be recessed (not shown) into the outer wall 22 of container 10 to facilitate the packing and shipping thereof, if desired. Furthermore, the top rim 30 may be indented adjacent channel member and the upper rung 31 thereof may be flush with the top rim 30 whereby the entire container opener and handle assembly 10 will be within the container outline.

The channel member 15 in certain circumstances may be eliminated if the rigidity of strap 12 is sufficient and the stiffness of the plug 16 at the open position 25 is sufficient to maintain the handle and horizontal portion in their extended position shown in FIG. 2.

The exact shape, location and configuration of openable plug 16 may be varied on the nature of the contents in the container, and the intended use thereof. A perforated element (not shown) may be provided beneath plug 16 and secured to the bottom surface of the top of the container 10, if powdered substances such as cleansers or the like were the contents of the container 10. The exact shape, location and construction of the various parts of the assembly may be varied in accord with known manufacturing methods and mass-production techniques without departing from the present invention.

In certain instances it would be desirable to remove the peeled-back metal plug 16 as indicated by broken lines 25 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the case of a beverage container, another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 to permit ready removal of the plug 16 after opening the container. The components of this embodiment of the container opener and handle assembly are indicated by prime numbers 10, 11, 12, 13', 14', 15, 16' and 17' representing substantially identical components in FIGS. 1 and 2, as hereinbefore previously described.

Affixed to or molded integral with the horizontal portion 14' is an enlarged forward end portion 40 having an openended T-shaped slot in the form of a socket 41 extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongated horizontal portion 14'. A rivet 43 which is attached to openable plug 16' (the line of weakness in this embodiment would be continuous rather than interrupted as shown in FIG. I), in top 17' is removably attached to end portion 40 by being slidingly disposed in socket 41. The rivet 43 is nested within socket 41, and after portion 13' is forced laterally outwardly of container 11', the peeled-back plug 16' may be removed from top 17' and unfastened from the open-ended socket 41 by sliding the rivet 43 out of one of the open ends thereof.

v In order for the end portion 40'and/or horizontal portion 14' to be maintained rigid with portion 13' in its most outwardly extending position after removal of rivet 43 from socket 41 and removal of the plug 16', a compressive spring clip 43 is affixed to end portion 43 which overlies channel member 15, as seen by broken lines 44, and generally limits the inadvertent collapsing movement of horizontal portion 14' and portion 13 from their extended operation positions.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without-departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a container having a top and sidewalls with an openable plug in said top wall formed by a line of weakness therein, the improvement comprising an opener and handle assembly including an elongated strap having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending over said top wall, first means for permanently affixing the lower end of said vertical portion to said container sidewall generally remotely and rearwardly disposed with respect to said plug, second means for connecting the forward end portion of said horizontal portion to said plug, said vertical portion being graspable by the fingers of the hand and movable away from said container adjacent said top wall whereby said plug is opened by the force transmitted through said vertical and horizontal portions to said second means and plug, said vertical and horizontal portions forming a handle for said container after said plug is opened with said horizontal portion extending outwardly of said container sidewall and said vertical portion adjacent said top wall being spaced away from said sidewall.

2. In the container as defined in claim 1 further comprising a channel member affixed to said top wall and having an upper rung portion extending laterally above said horizontal portion, said channel member guiding said horizontal portion during opening movement of said vertical and horizontal portions in a direction generally oppositely and rearwardly of said second means.

3. In the container as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means includes means for releasably connecting said forward end portion to said plug.

4. In the container as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for releasably attaching said forward end portion of said strap to said channel member.

5. In the container as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for releasably connecting includes an open ended socket and a rivet, said rivet having a shoulder portion engageable with a shoulder in said socket and slidable through the open end of .said socket for connection and disconnection thereof, the

direction of connecting and disconnecting movement of said rivet and socket being generally perpendicular of the direction of opening movement of said plug and the longitudinal axis of said strap horizontal portion.

6. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated strap is constructed of forcibly deformable metal.

7 ln the container as defined in claim 6 wherein said container sidewall is metal and wherein said first means is a welded connection between said metal strap and metal sidewall.

8. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said openable plug is disposed adjacent a first side edge portion of said top wall, said second means being located closely adjacent said top wall side edge portion, said horizontal portion extending across said top wall and over a second side edge portion opposite to and remote from said first side edge portion, said vertical portion extending downwardly from adjacent said second side edge portion to its connection by said first means to said container sidewall generally vertically disposed with respect to said second side edge portion.

9. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said line of weakness is interrupted toward the central portion of said top wall to form a hinged connection between said plug and the remainder of said top wall upon opened movement thereof by said strap.

10. In the container as defined in claim 9 further comprising a channel member affixed to said top wall and having an upper rung portion extending laterally above said horizontal portion, said channel member guiding said horizontal portion during opening movement of said vertical and horizontal portions in a direction generally oppositely and rearwardly of said second means.

11. In the container as defined in claim 3 wherein said line of weakness is continuous to permit removal thereof from said top wall.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 023 9 Dated August 31. 1971 In nt (s) David E. Russell and Tom A. Andresen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 15, after "ring" insert and Column 2, line 39, after "which" insert lends itself to conventional packaging and shipping methods.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly which Signed and sealed this 25th day of January 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHEZR,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM P 04050 :iO-BQI LJSCOMM-DC 603764 69 

1. In a container having a top and sidewalls with an openable plug in said top wall formed by a line of weakness therein, the improvement comprising an opener and handle assembly including an elongated strap having a generally vertical portion and a generally horizontal portion extending over said top wall, first means for permanently affixing the lower end of said vertical portion to said container sidewall generally remotely and rearwardly disposed with respect to said plug, second means for connecting the forward end portion of said horizontal portion to said plug, said vertical portion being graspable by the fingers of the hand and movable away from said container adjacent said top wall whereby said plug is opened by the force transmitted through said vertical and horizontal portions to said second means and plug, said vertical and horizontal portions forming a handle for said container after said plug is opened with said horizontal portion extending outwardly of said container sidewall and said vertical portion adjacent said top wall being spaced away from said sidewall.
 2. In the container as defined in claim 1 further comprising a channel member affixed to said top wall and having an upper rung portion extending laterally above said horizontal portion, said channel member guiding said horizontal portion during opening movement of said vertical and horizontal portions in a direction generally oppositely and rearwardly of said second means.
 3. In the container as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means includes means for releasably connecting said forward end portion to said plug.
 4. In the container as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for releasably attaching said forward end portion of said strap to said channel member.
 5. In the container as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for releasably connecting includes an open ended socket and a rivet, said rivet having a shoulder portion engageable with a shoulder in said socket and slidable through the open end of said socket for connection and disconnection thereof, the direction of connecting and disconnecting movement of said rivet and socket being generally perpendicular of the direction of opening movement of said plug and the longitudinal axis of said strap horizontal portion.
 6. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated strap is constructed of forcibly deformable metal.
 7. In the container as defined in claim 6 wherein said container sidewall is metal and wherein said first means is a welded connection between said metal strap and metal sidewall.
 8. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said openable plug is disposed adjacent a first side edge portion of said top wall, said second means being located closely adjacent said top wall side edge portion, said horizontal portion extending across said top wall and over a second side edge portion opposite to and remote from said first side edge portion, said vertical portion extending downwardly from adjacent said second side edge portion to its connection by said first means to said container sidewall generally vertically disposed with respect to said second side edge portion.
 9. In the container as defined in claim 1 wherein said line of weakness is interrupted toward the central portion of said top wall to form a hinged connection between said plug and the remainder of said top wall upon opened movement thereof by said strap.
 10. In the container as defined in claim 9 further comprising a channel member affixed to said top wall and having an upper rung portion extending laterally above said horizontal portion, said channel member guiding said horizontal portion during opening movement of said vertical and horizontal portions in a direction generally oppositely and rearwardly of said second means.
 11. In the container as defined in claim 3 wherein said line of weakness is continuous to permit removal thereof from said top wall. 